The new security measures in place at airports were no protection against the terrible fate that awaited the innocent passengers aboard Flight MH17.

Ukrainian State Emergency Service employees collect bodies of victims at the crash site of MH17[GETTY]

Our fears about flying have until now been largely confined to the presence of the terrorist in our midst. We have rarely given a thought to what danger zones we might be flying over.

The destruction of this civil aircraft might have been a terrible accident, an atrocity committed by (in all likelihood) young, trigger-happy, untrained men who thought they were shooting down another military aircraft.

For all the tough talk from politicians across the globe there is very little that they can do about Putin beyond imposing sanctions

Much of the blame must lie with Vladimir Putin for arming these near- psychopaths. It is a calamity that could never have been predicted, a terrible warning of the dangers of anarchic conflict between tribes and factions the world over.

For all the tough talk from politicians across the globe there is very little that they can do about Putin beyond imposing sanctions. But the scale of this horror just might lead to some concessions from the Russian leader if only in the name of common decency. There is a very small chance that something positive may yet come out of this desperate tragedy.

Welcome pension reform

New flexible rules about pensions that were trailed in the Budget will be fleshed out today by Chancellor George Osborne. "We cannot expect people to save responsibly for their retirement if they do not believe they will get value for money from their savings when they come to access them," he said. Few would argue with that.

The notion of a U-shaped annuity, tailored for the lengthy retirement that most people can look forward to, is impressive - allowing for a substantial take-up of funds followed by a levelling off that will increase again to meet the costs of care. Those who dip into their pension pots will also be paying tax at their usual rate rather than at 55 per cent.

Some fear that if people are allowed access to their own money they will squander it and be left with nothing. It is possible that some pensioners will blow the lot. But for most the chance of making decisions about the money they have painstakingly acquired is welcome news.

A much-liked leading man

James Garner's character in The Rockford Files always left this on his answering machine: "Hello, this is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message. I'll get back to you." Sadly now he won't. A popular, charming and great actor, much missed.